Russell Donald Freeman (May 28, 1926 – June 27, 2002) was a
bebop
Bebop or bop is a style of jazz developed in the early-to-mid-1940s in the United States. The style features compositions characterized by a fast tempo, complex chord progressions with rapid chord changes and numerous changes of key, instrumen ...
and
cool jazz
Cool jazz is a style of modern jazz music that arose in the United States after World War II. It is characterized by relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the fast and complex bebop style. Cool jazz often employs formal arrangements and ...
pianist and composer.
Initially, Freeman was classically trained. His reputation as a jazz pianist grew in the 1940s after working with
Art Pepper
Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...
and
Shorty Rogers
Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arran ...
. He played with
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...
on the 1947 "Home Cooking" jazz session. Numerous collaborations followed in the 1950s with
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool".
Baker earned much attention and ...
,
Shelly Manne
Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, s ...
, and
Art Pepper
Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...
. These collaborations included the ''Jazz Immortal'' LP recorded with Russ Freeman and jazz trumpeter
Clifford Brown
Clifford Benjamin Brown (October 30, 1930 – June 26, 1956) was an American jazz trumpeter and composer. He died at the age of 25 in a car accident, leaving behind four years' worth of recordings. His compositions "Sandu", "Joy Spring", an ...
in 1954, which included leading musicians Brown and
Zoot Sims
John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...
. On the ''Jazz Immortal'' LP, Russ Freeman was able to play in a combo that recorded many Clifford Brown compositions.
In 1957, he collaborated with
André Previn
André George Previn (; born Andreas Ludwig Priwin; April 6, 1929 – February 28, 2019) was a German-American pianist, composer, and conductor. His career had three major genres: Hollywood films, jazz, and classical music. In each he achieved ...
on the album ''
Double Play!
''Double Play!'' is a 1957 jazz album featuring pianists Russ Freeman and André Previn.
It was recorded and released in 1957 on the Contemporary label, and re-released in 1993 in the Original Jazz Classics series.
Together with drummer Shell ...
'', where they both played piano, accompanied only by Manne on drums.
In 1988,
Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett (born May 8, 1945) is an American jazz and classical music pianist and composer. Jarrett started his career with Art Blakey and later moved on to play with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis. Since the early 1970s, he has also been a ...
performed a version of Freeman's "The Wind" in a solo concert in Paris, which is featured on his album '' Paris Concert''. In 1991,
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...
wrote her own lyrics to "The Wind" for her album ''
Emotions
Emotions are mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition. ...
''. Freeman had written "The Wind" with original lyrics by Jerry Gladstone; it had been performed as an instrumental piece during the 1950s and 1960s by the likes of Baker,
Leo Wright
Leo Wright (December 14, 1933 in Wichita Falls, Texas – January 4, 1991 in Vienna) was an American jazz musician who played alto saxophone, flute and clarinet. He played with Charles Mingus, Booker Ervin, John Hardee, Kenny Burrell, Johnny Co ...
, and
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of ...
, and had been sung by vocalist
June Christy
June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a sol ...
(on ''
The Misty Miss Christy
''The Misty Miss Christy'' is a 1956 studio album by June Christy. Christy sings several jazz standards along with a few lesser-known tunes. Pete Rugolo arranged the songs and conducted the orchestra, which consisted of different combinations o ...
''). Freeman's piano is featured on Baker's 1954 recording of "The Wind" (featured on ''
Chet Baker & Strings
''Chet Baker & Strings'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in late 1953 and early 1954 and released on the Columbia label.Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool".
Baker earned much attention and ...
*''
Chet Baker Sings
''Chet Baker Sings'' is the debut vocal album by jazz musician Chet Baker, released in 1954 by Pacific Jazz Records. In 2001, the album received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. Baker would return to selections from this album throughout his care ...
992
Year 992 ( CMXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Worldwide
* Winter – A superflare from the sun causes an Aurora Borealis, with visibility as fa ...
*''
Chet Baker Quartet featuring Russ Freeman
''Chet Baker Quartet featuring Russ Freeman'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker originally recorded in 1953 and released as a 10-inch LP on the Pacific Jazz label.
'' (Pacific Jazz, 1953)
*''
Witch Doctor
A witch doctor (also spelled witch-doctor) was originally a type of Folk healer, healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to Alternative medicine, healers, particularly in region ...
'' (Contemporary, 1953
985
Year 985 (Roman numerals, CMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Europe
* Summer – Henry II, Duke of Bavaria, Henry II (the Wrangler) is rest ...
*''
West Coast Live
''West Coast Live'' is a weekly two-hour radio variety show hosted by Sedge Thomson. The unscripted program features interviews with world-renowned authors and cultural figures along with performances by musicians, comedians and other entertaine ...
'' - with
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of ...
(1954
997
Year 997 (Roman numerals, CMXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Japan
* 1 February: Empress Teishi gives birth to Princess Shushi - she is the first ...
*''
Pretty/Groovy
''Pretty/Groovy'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in 1953 and 1954 (with one track from 1957) and released on the World Pacific label in 1958.
'' (World Pacific, 1953-54
958
Year 958 ( CMLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* October / November – Battle of Raban: The Byzantines under John Tzimiskes ...
*''
The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker
''The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in 1953 and 1954 and released on the Pacific Jazz label.
'' (Pacific Jazz, 1953–54)
*''
Chet Baker & Strings
''Chet Baker & Strings'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in late 1953 and early 1954 and released on the Columbia label.Jazz at Ann Arbor
''Jazz at Ann Arbor'' is a live album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker which was recorded at the Masonic Temple in 1954 and released on the Pacific Jazz label.Chet Baker Sings and Plays
''Chet Baker Sings and Plays'' (subtitled ''With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman and Strings'') is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in 1955 for Barclay Records and released on the Pacific Jazz label.Quartet: Russ Freeman/Chet Baker'' (Pacific Jazz, 1956)
With
Maynard Ferguson
Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...
*''
Maynard Ferguson's Hollywood Party
''Maynard Ferguson's Hollywood Party'' is an album released by Canadian jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson featuring tracks recorded in early 1954 and originally released on the EmArcy label as a 10-inch LP but reissued as a 12-inch album.
'' (EmArcy, 1954)
*''
Dimensions
In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus, a line has a dimension of one (1D) because only one coordina ...
'' (EmArcy, 1955)
With
Jimmy Giuffre
James Peter Giuffre (, ; April 26, 1921 – April 24, 2008) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is known for developing forms of jazz which allowed for free interplay between the musicians, anticipating f ...
*''
Jimmy Giuffre
James Peter Giuffre (, ; April 26, 1921 – April 24, 2008) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is known for developing forms of jazz which allowed for free interplay between the musicians, anticipating f ...
'' (Capitol, 1955)
With
Irene Kral
Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978) was an American jazz singer who was born to Czechoslovakian parents in Chicago, Illinois and settled in Los Angeles in the early 1960s. She died from breast cancer in Encino, California.
Kral's ol ...
Shelly Manne
Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, s ...
960
Year 960 ( CMLX) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* Summer – Siege of Chandax: A Byzantine fleet with an expeditionary force (co ...
- compilation of previously issued 10-inch LPs
*''
The West Coast Sound
''The West Coast Sound'' (subtitled ''Volume 1'') is an album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded at sessions in 1953 and 1955 and released on the Contemporary Records, Contemporary label.Swinging Sounds
''Swinging Sounds'' is a jazz album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded in 1956 and released on the Contemporary label.
'' (Contemporary, 1956)
*''
More Swinging Sounds
''More Swinging Sounds'' is a jazz album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded in 1956 and released by the Contemporary label.
'' (Contemporary, 1956)
*''
Concerto for Clarinet & Combo
''Concerto for Clarinet & Combo'' (full title ''Premiere Recording of Concerto for Clarinet & Combo by Bill Smith, with the Composer on Clarinet, & Bags' Groove, Sophisticated Rabbit, My Old Flame'') is an album by drummer Shelly Manne's group She ...
'' (Contemporary, 1957)
*''
The Gambit
The Gambit is a recording Finnish musician, producer and composer. The Gambit debuted in Finland in 2005 with his single Move Gambit/Cos My Clique Is, which charted in the top 10 of the Finnish Singles Chart. As an artist composing, writing and ...
Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne-Hole
''Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne-Hole'' is a live album by vocalist Ruth Price with drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded at Shelly's Manne-Hole in Hollywood, California, in 1961 and released on the Co ...
'' (Contemporary, 1961) with
Ruth Price
Ruth Price (born April 27, 1938) is an American jazz singer and Artistic Director of the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, California. Price attended ballet school in 1952. In 1954, she sang with Charlie Ventura and later worked as a singer and dancer ...
My Fair Lady with the Un-original Cast
''My Fair Lady with the Un-original Cast'' is an album by drummer Shelly Manne with Jack Sheldon and Irene Kral and musical direction by Johnny Williams, recorded in 1964 and released on the Capitol label.Manne–That's Gershwin!
''Manne–That's Gershwin!'' is an album by drummer Shelly Manne featuring music by George Gershwin, recorded in 1965 and released on the Capitol label.
'' (Capitol, 1965)
*''
Boss Sounds!
''Boss Sounds!'' (subtitled ''Shelly Manne & His Men at Shelly's Manne-Hole'') is a live album by drummer Shelly Manne recorded in 1966 and released on the Atlantic label.
'' (Atlantic, 1966)
*''One on One'' (Atlas, 1982)
With
Jack Montrose Jack Montrose (December 30, 1928 – February 7, 2006) was a jazz tenor saxophonist and arranger. After attending college in Los Angeles, he worked with Jerry Gray and then Art Pepper. Montrose also did arrangements for Clifford Brown. He became k ...
*''
Arranged by Montrose
''Jack Montrose Sextet'' is an album by saxophonist Jack Montrose recorded in 1954 for the Pacific Jazz label.Art Pepper
Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...
*''
Surf Ride
''Surf Ride'' is an album by saxophonist Art Pepper featuring sessions from 1952-54 which was originally released as a 12 inch LP on the Savoy label in 1956.Edwards, D., Callahan, M., Eyries, P., Watts, R. and Neely, TDiscography Preview for the S ...
'' (Savoy, 1952-1954
956
Year 956 ( CMLVI) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place Byzantine Empire
* Summer – Emperor Constantine VII appoints Nikephoros Phokas to commander of the ...
*''
The Return of Art Pepper
''The Return of Art Pepper'' is an album by saxophonist Art Pepper featuring sessions from 1956 recorded for the Aladdin Records, Jazz: West label after his first release from prison.Edwards, D. and Callahan, MJazz:West Album Discographyaccessed Oc ...
'' (Jazz: West, 1956)
*''
The Art Pepper Quartet
''The Art Pepper Quartet'' is an album by saxophonist Art Pepper featuring sessions from 1956 recorded for the Tampa label. Pepper’s Quartet are pianist Russ Freeman (pianist), Russ Freeman, bassist Ben Tucker and drummer Gary Frommer.Burgess, B ...
'' (Tampa, 1956)
*''
Modern Art
Modern art includes artistic work produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the styles and philosophies of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the tradi ...
'' (Intro, 1957)
*''
Mucho Calor
''Mucho Calor'' (subtitled ''A Presentation in Latin Jazz'') is an album by trumpeter Conte Candoli and alto saxophonist Art Pepper in an octet with tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins (saxophonist), Bill Perkins, pianist Russ Freeman (pianist), Russ Fr ...
'' (Andex, 1957) with
Conte Candoli
Secondo "Conte" Candoli (July 12, 1927 – December 14, 2001) was an American jazz trumpeter based on the West Coast. He played in the big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie, and in Doc Severinsen's NBC Orch ...
*''
Among Friends Among Friends may refer to:
* Among Friends (Art Pepper album)
* Among Friends (Cedar Walton album)
''Among Friends'' is a live album by American jazz pianist Cedar Walton recorded in 1982 at Keystone Korner in San Francisco at the same series o ...
'' (Interplay, 1978)
With
André Previn
André George Previn (; born Andreas Ludwig Priwin; April 6, 1929 – February 28, 2019) was a German-American pianist, composer, and conductor. His career had three major genres: Hollywood films, jazz, and classical music. In each he achieved ...
*''
Double Play!
''Double Play!'' is a 1957 jazz album featuring pianists Russ Freeman and André Previn.
It was recorded and released in 1957 on the Contemporary label, and re-released in 1993 in the Original Jazz Classics series.
Together with drummer Shell ...
Pete Rugolo
Pietro "Pete" Rugolo (December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011) was an American jazz composer, arranger and record producer.
Life and career
Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settle ...
*''
Rugolomania
''Rugolomania'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo, featuring performances recorded in 1954 and 1955 and released on the Columbia label.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Discographyaccessed October 6, 2016Smith, P. GJulius Watkins ...
'' (Columbia, 1955)
*''
New Sounds by Pete Rugolo
''New Sounds by Pete Rugolo'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo, featuring performances recorded in 1954 and 1955 for Columbia Records and first released on the budget Harmony label in 1957.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Disc ...
'' (Harmony, 1954–55,
957
Year 957 ( CMLVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Europe
* September 6 – Liudolf, the eldest son of King Otto I, dies of a violent fever nea ...
*''
Music for Hi-Fi Bugs
''Music for Hi-Fi Bugs'' (also released as ''Music from Out of Space'') is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring performances recorded in 1956 and originally released on the EmArcy Records, EmArcy label as a 12-inch LP ...
958
Year 958 ( CMLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Byzantine Empire
* October / November – Battle of Raban: The Byzantines under John Tzimiskes ...